To not let a stranger on the streets borrow my mobile phone?

I was out in a city that I don't know on saturday. It's a snooty city known as a sanctuary for rich londoners etc, so obviously the vast majority of people were very smartly dressed. (Not of course that matters)

Anyways, I was walking with my partner and we were approached by a man and a woman who looked a bit er dodgey if that's the best way I can describe them

She asked if either of us had a phone she could borrow for a minute.... my partner apoligised and said we'd left it at the hotel

I had been carrying my phone in my hand at my side, so tried to slip it into my pocket discretely

But she spotted it and shouted annoyed at us with "he says as you slip a phone into your pocket"

I don't know whether I feel guilty as she genuinely could've been in need and a minute on the phone costs nothint these days. I sure know I'd hope someone would help me out in a time of need.

But then the other half of me is saying, what if they were to run off with the phone? (Iphone- so not a cheap throw away)Could they not ask the museum/cafes/shops/hotels around the square to use their phone? There was even a red telephone box nearby.

Where we being unreasonably selfish? Overly cautious or right in out reaction?

I obviously have no idea how much your iphone costs OP but I'm assuming a few hundred £££. I doubt anyone would just take a large amount of cash out of their pocket and hand it over if asked by a complete stranger so why would anyone expect you to do so with an expensive phone.

A couple of years ago, a young woman came running out of a side street, literally screaming "OMG my Mum! My Mum! Can you lend me your phone a minute? My Mum's just been involved in a car crash!!"

I said "Fuck me, your Mum's a shit driver then. She did the same thing twice yesterday and 3 times the day before, according to people in the local Facebook group. Oh and yes, the police have been informed".

She just looked at me and ran off.

She was still pulling the same scam a couple of days later, but in a different part of the borough.

I did this one and the woman called her drug dealer to ask for "one dark, one white!" - right in front of me. Bold as brass! Obviously thinking I wouldn't understand. I called the police immediately and gave them her dealers number. Cheeky mare